where could they be(new kittens)?HELP!!!!

Question
Hello,
My kitty had four babies on 3/09/07. I moved her and the babies to the basement that night because we have another cat and my vet suggested to keep them apart. This morning I checked on the kitties and mother and babies where fine, This afternoon I went do to feed mother and the babies were gone. I have looked every where in the basement and I can not find them!! My vet says they will surface or the mother ate them. Is this possible? HELP!!! Thanks, Stephanie

Answer
Hi Stephanie,

The mom eating the kittens is very unlikely. She has hidden them really good. What you need to do is to sit down there very quietly and just watch where she goes. The mom will go to the kittens. You have to be patient and very quiet. She got upset from moving them. I am surprised that the vet told you to move them. If the other cat wasn't bothering them there was no need to move them. When you see where the mom has them you can do one of two things. If the area looks safe you can leave them alone. Or you can move them to an area where the mom can't hide them. I would suggest a bathroom with the door closed. The reason you want them out in the bathroom is that you want to be able to get to the kittens to socialize with them. You should wait abut a week or two before picking them up. Just make sure that you go in with the mom while she's nursing and talk quietly to her. You can try petting the mom while she's nursing so that she is used to you by her kittens. Good luck and let me know if you find the kittens.

Ciao, Karen